Heysel Park
Encyclopedia
The Heysel Exhibition Park is the place in the north of the centre of Brussels
, Belgium
, where the Brussels International Exposition (1935)
and the Expo '58
took place.
The Atomium
, built for the World's Fair of 1958, is the most impressive monument in the Heysel Park. The Centenary Palace (Dutch
: Eeuwfeestpaleis, French
: Palais du Centenaire) is one of the remaining buildings of the World's Fair of 1935. Currently it's still being used for trade fairs.
The Heysel Park is also the location of the Heysel Stadium, built in 1930. After the Heysel Stadium disaster
of 1985, which claimed the lives of 39 spectators at the European Cup final, it was rebuilt and renamed the King Baudouin Stadium.
Other interesting places on the Heysel are a large movie theatre (Kinepolis), a park which hosts miniature models of famous European buildings (Mini-Europe
), a subtropical water park (Océade) and a planetarium
.
(EU) "quarter" development in the Heysel. The area surrounding the Atomium
might become a location for some of the European Commission
's buildings, according to a draft project developed by the city of Brussels. The city of Brussels had decided to allocate this area to "infrastructures dedicated to the international vocation of Brussels" and planned to erect a convention centre of "international dimensions" with a capacity of 3,500 seats and an "important commercial centre." In January 2009, the Commission spokeswoman Valerie Rampi confirmed that the EU executive was considering several proposals for a new location, with some 100,000 square metres of office space. The draft of 15 September 2008 is entitled "Application file for the Heysel plain to host a new European quarter". Nine proposals were received by 15 September, the Heysel project being one of them. The college of commissioners is expected to take a decision on the proposals in the first half of 2009. According to the draft project, the Heysel area lies on a direct subway line connecting it to the European quarter and is to host a new branch of the European school, where EU officials educate their children in their native tongues. The existing parking facilities, the biggest in Belgium, were also presented as a plus, as well as the planned new residential area and the proximity of parks and leisure facilities. The European quarter
would continue to remain the centre of the commission's activities, but the body was also looking for "additional poles outside" this central area, in order to exert a downward pressure on real estate prices, ccording to Siim Kallas
, EU commissioner for administrative affairs.
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, where the Brussels International Exposition (1935)
Brussels International Exposition (1935)
The Brussels International Exposition of 1935 was held in Heysel Park, Brussels, Belgium from April 27 through November 6, 1935....
and the Expo '58
Expo '58
Expo 58, also known as the Brussels World’s Fair, Brusselse Wereldtentoonstelling or Exposition Universelle et Internationale de Bruxelles, was held from 17 April to 19 October 1958...
took place.
The Atomium
Atomium
The Atomium is a monument in Brussels, originally built for Expo '58, the 1958 Brussels World's Fair. Designed by André Waterkeyn, it stands 102 metres tall...
, built for the World's Fair of 1958, is the most impressive monument in the Heysel Park. The Centenary Palace (Dutch
Dutch language
Dutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
: Eeuwfeestpaleis, French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
: Palais du Centenaire) is one of the remaining buildings of the World's Fair of 1935. Currently it's still being used for trade fairs.
The Heysel Park is also the location of the Heysel Stadium, built in 1930. After the Heysel Stadium disaster
Heysel Stadium disaster
The Heysel Stadium disaster occurred on 29 May 1985 when escaping fans were pressed against a wall in the Heysel Stadium in Brussels, Belgium, as a result of rioting before the start of the 1985 European Cup Final between Liverpool of England and Juventus of Italy...
of 1985, which claimed the lives of 39 spectators at the European Cup final, it was rebuilt and renamed the King Baudouin Stadium.
Other interesting places on the Heysel are a large movie theatre (Kinepolis), a park which hosts miniature models of famous European buildings (Mini-Europe
Mini-Europe
-See also:* Madurodam — Model village in Netherlands containing miniature famous Dutch landmarks* Catalunya en Miniatura — miniature park located 17 km away from Barcelona, with an exhibition area of 35.000 m2 including all major buildings of Catalonia and of Antoni Gaudí* Bekonscot...
), a subtropical water park (Océade) and a planetarium
Planetarium
A planetarium is a theatre built primarily for presenting educational and entertaining shows about astronomy and the night sky, or for training in celestial navigation...
.
Potential location for European Commission offices
The Heysel Project is a potential European UnionEuropean Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
(EU) "quarter" development in the Heysel. The area surrounding the Atomium
Atomium
The Atomium is a monument in Brussels, originally built for Expo '58, the 1958 Brussels World's Fair. Designed by André Waterkeyn, it stands 102 metres tall...
might become a location for some of the European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
's buildings, according to a draft project developed by the city of Brussels. The city of Brussels had decided to allocate this area to "infrastructures dedicated to the international vocation of Brussels" and planned to erect a convention centre of "international dimensions" with a capacity of 3,500 seats and an "important commercial centre." In January 2009, the Commission spokeswoman Valerie Rampi confirmed that the EU executive was considering several proposals for a new location, with some 100,000 square metres of office space. The draft of 15 September 2008 is entitled "Application file for the Heysel plain to host a new European quarter". Nine proposals were received by 15 September, the Heysel project being one of them. The college of commissioners is expected to take a decision on the proposals in the first half of 2009. According to the draft project, the Heysel area lies on a direct subway line connecting it to the European quarter and is to host a new branch of the European school, where EU officials educate their children in their native tongues. The existing parking facilities, the biggest in Belgium, were also presented as a plus, as well as the planned new residential area and the proximity of parks and leisure facilities. The European quarter
European Quarter
A European Quarter usually refers to an area of a city containing a concentration of pan-European institutions...
would continue to remain the centre of the commission's activities, but the body was also looking for "additional poles outside" this central area, in order to exert a downward pressure on real estate prices, ccording to Siim Kallas
Siim Kallas
Siim Kallas is an Estonian politician, currently serving as European Commissioner for Transport. He is also one of five vice-presidents of the 27-member Barroso Commission...
, EU commissioner for administrative affairs.